Cops call for review of hotel's licence after alleged rape and near-miss at airport

A HOTEL could lose its alcohol and entertainment licence after a string of serious incidents, including an alleged rape.

Police have called for a licence review of the Skylark Hotel. in Aviation Way, Southend, after a woman was allegedly raped at a Siesta event on July 12.

It has also emerged, at the same event, a reveller was able to get airside at Southend Airport, forcing the runway to close after going through the hotel’s fencing.

The hotel has faced a string of recent controversies and was due to face a licence review in December 2013 sfter safety concerns about an event that November, but the review was dropped.

StevenGreener, licensing officer for Essex Police, said: “If it had not been for the quick response from the airport staff, the male could have accidentally accessed the runway and put him and any flight planning on landing in danger.

“It appears that hotel owner Andreas Stavrinides has little regard to the advice given to him by the licensing committee.

“Essex Police feel the venue is unable to safely run under-18 events or any outdoor events.”

The police also pointed to the arrests of young people at an event at the hotel in February , in which people were taken to hospital.

Mr Greener added: “This event was not managed correctly and failed to safeguard children under their custody and control.”

Police have submitted their case for a licence review to Rochford District Council, which will hold a hearing on the matter on Friday, September 5.

The council’s licensing subcommittee, chaired by councillor Dave Sperring, will then have five days to reach a conclusion, including the possibility of Mr Stavrinides having his license revoked, or suspended.

Mr Greener added: “We wish the committee to consider removing Mr Stavrinides from being the designated premises supervisor, remove outdoor events from the licence and restrict the use of the venue to over-18’s only.”

Comments (8)

With a great junk of licensed premise being owned by the council - it seems strange that they are also the people doing license reviews.

THe original system which was via the magistrates was a much better idea.

.
.

With a great junk of licensed premise being owned by the council - it seems strange that they are also the people doing license reviews.
THe original system which was via the magistrates was a much better idea.
.
.rayleigh123

thecoat wrote:
No doubt a brown envelope full of cash will change hands at a council meeting and it will be business as usual.

Sound like the Airport want the land all a bit fishy.

[quote][p][bold]thecoat[/bold] wrote:
No doubt a brown envelope full of cash will change hands at a council meeting and it will be business as usual.[/p][/quote]Sound like the Airport want the land all a bit fishy.Alfiee

"a reveller was able to get airside at Southend Airport, forcing the runway to close after going through the hotel’s fencing."

Southend Airport should be in charge of their own security measures, i.e. fences around the airport parameter, and not Skylark hotel.

"a reveller was able to get airside at Southend Airport, forcing the runway to close after going through the hotel’s fencing."
Southend Airport should be in charge of their own security measures, i.e. fences around the airport parameter, and not Skylark hotel.n-unknown

what a suprise just when the inspector is about to announce a desicion on footpath 36 rubbish like this is spouted to put a taint on the very area of the footpath . Airport use the correct act to deal with aviation security and not sum half cocked traffic ACT. On account on stuff, I have read ministers have warned the airport not to use the 1982 ACT as the airport would fail the paliament proccess. By circumnavigateing arround the correct proscess lives are being put at risk, all for a private company. dispicable!!!! my opinion as always

what a suprise just when the inspector is about to announce a desicion on footpath 36 rubbish like this is spouted to put a taint on the very area of the footpath . Airport use the correct act to deal with aviation security and not sum half cocked traffic ACT. On account on stuff, I have read ministers have warned the airport not to use the 1982 ACT as the airport would fail the paliament proccess. By circumnavigateing arround the correct proscess lives are being put at risk, all for a private company. dispicable!!!! my opinion as alwaysmaxell